10 Amazing Health Benefits of Cycling

Nowadays, it’s hard to decide on which physical activity to practice since there are so many of them out there. You need to keep active to be in good shape, and we know how hard is to maintain a routine of workouts. If you are looking for a physical activity that is not only easy to begin with, but also great fun, cycling may be the best workout for you! If you need some convincing, below is a list of 10 amazing health benefits you can expect from cycling.

1. Low-impact and friendly on the bones

A lot of workouts today put a strain on joints and muscles, and people who suffer from joint pain or any age-related illness require workouts that don’t put added strain the muscles, or stress on the joints. When riding a bike, your joints and legs are not under a lot of stress. Also, riding a bike is not a rough workout, meaning you are less prone to injuries whilst riding a bike – even if you fall off of it – you may just have a scratch or two, provided you are wearing the appropriate safety equipment.

2. Daily commutes can be a workout

You can incorporate this activity into your daily routine easily since it is not only fun but also useful. riding a bicycle to school or work will save money that would otherwise have been spent on gas if you were to take your car. Riding a bike also helps to save time, as many cities around the world now have cycling roads to ensure your safety. Plus, riding a bike everywhere helps you to build up stamina and improve balance in the long run.

3. Riding a bike builds muscle

Riding a bike may seem easy enough right? You may not notice at first, but riding a bike takes a number of different skills. Along with pedalling, maintaining balance must also be continually done. When your workout is finished and you dismount, you may feel your lower body muscles sore, but the workout has used almost all the muscles in your body. The muscles in your arms will begin to grow and to strengthen because you use them to keep your balance. When making turns on the bike, you may need to move your body the way in which you are turning, and this takes many of your muscles to work together in order to do this successfully.

4. It’s a great cardio workout

As you pedal your way to work, your heart is pumping more blood to your muscles than usual. Your heart is under more pressure and if you ride regularly, you will improve your cardiovascular system. Soon enough, you’ll feel your stamina improve as well. With time and patience, you will go from riding a mile or two to riding three or four miles a day without breaking a sweat. Due to the positive effects bike riding has on the heart, many people that have been diagnosed with certain heart diseases are recommended to ride for a few hours to keep the heart pumping and in good shape.

5. Cycling is good for the environment

As mentioned earlier, riding a bike to go places is not only good for you, but it helps the environment too. You can move easier between cars, and since you do not spend the time driving, you save time and money – and reduce gas emissions in the process. Plus, riding a bike is not only far cheaper, but the amount of energy taken to make a bike is merely a ninth the amount of energy that is needed to make a car.

6. It’s a great aerobic workout

Constantly pushing the pedals on your bike is excellent aerobic exercise. The workout makes your body release endorphins, and endorphins help you to feel better, providing the motivation needed to keep the workout going. However, if retaining balance feels tiresome, recumbent bikes are there to help you. Here are the 5 best three wheel recumbent bikes that will rule 2018.

7. You choose the level of intensity

There are a lot of different ways to ride a bike. You can choose a mountain bike to tackle rougher terrains. The intensity level is pretty high as you descend down a designated path at great speed. Another option is the BMX bike, which professionals use to carry out special tricks and competitions. Are prone to getting crashed, so the parts are made of a more durable material. Also, the equipment needed is also a little more expensive since it provides more protection. If this sounds a little too risky, you can always ride a normal bike or hybrid and go wherever you want.

8. Riding a bike reduces stress

Riding a bike is one of the best activities you can do to help to reduce stress. When you ride, your mind simply drifts away as you see so many things on the way. Your whole body is relaxed, and your mind is calm as you ride. The exercise does not involve any extreme movements, so you can get distracted in an instant. You can go sightseeing on your bike and feel how your mind clears, helping you blow off some steam in the process. The constant pedaling and the fact that you need to be well aware of your surroundings helps you to think about many things. And you can be sure that that specific thing that’s been bothering you all day won’t accompany you on your ride.

9. Riding burns calories

If you are consistent with your cycling workouts, you can burn enough calories to start losing weight at an accelerated rate. Since your body is in constant movement, it helps you to get in shape faster than with other workouts. You can create a routine path to make sure you are still motivated to finish your workout, and ensure your safety since you will get to know the path like the back of your hand.

10. Helps to build relationships

Riding is more exciting when you have a friend ride with you. You can encourage friends and family to get healthier by riding together. This is not only safer, but it also motivates you to keep on riding. Soon you will have your own riding crew to explore exciting new paths.

So, there you have 10 of the benefits that come with cycling. Happy riding!

About The Author: Sophie Elise is a passionate cyclist, author, and blogger. She is very passionate about discussing different types of women’s bikes, accessories, health, fitness and more. She regularly writes on sportsly.net.